The Milford Memorial Library provides a full range of collections and services for people visiting the Library. However, some residents of the community may not be able to visit the Library or use the Library through traditional service methods due to disability, illness or other long-term conditions. To provide access for these individuals and/or groups, the Library Board has established an Outreach Services Policy.

The purpose of the Outreach Policy is to provide Library materials and selected programming to Milford residents unable to come to the Library. Individuals, groups, institutions and agencies are eligible for outreach services as outlined in this document if they live in or are located within the boundaries of the City of Milford or a contracting city with no library that provides funding to the Milford Memorial Library.

I. Service to Homebound Individuals Homebound service is the selection and delivery, by Library staff or volunteers, of library materials to Milford residents or a contracting city who are unable to use the Library facility due to disability, illness or other long-term conditions.

A. Criteria for Homebound Service

Permanent physical disabilities or severe mobility problems which prevent an individual from coming to the Library.

A temporary physical limitation or illness which prevents an individual from coming the Library.

Must have a clean library record.

B. Services

Library staff will provide selected or requested material.

Library staff will drop-off materials as time allows.

Library staff will retrieve materials when due as time allows or at the request of the homebound individual.

II. Service to Adults in Group Settings Outreach service to adults in group settings includes service to local nursing homes, senior residential facilities, and adult day care centers of the City of Milford or a contracting city.

Criteria for Program Service

Service must be requested by the group.

If services are no longer needed, the library staff should be notified that they are to bediscontinued.

A responsible person much be designated and contact information must be made available.

The designated person must notify the library staff if they wish to cancel a scheduledprogram.

Services

Library staff will provide monthly drop-off of selected materials.

Requests for specific items must be made 24 hours prior to scheduled drop-off.

Library staff will provide off-site programming.

All arrangements must be made ahead of time with the library staff.

III. Service to Preschoolers

Outreach Service to Preschoolers is targeted at children who are at least 18 months of age and have not yet entered kindergarten.

Criteria for Program Service

Children must be enrolled in a group program licensed and operated in the City of Milford or a contracting city or as part of the public school system.

An Outreach Services Policy Agreement must be signed by the Group program operator butnot those groups that are part of the public school system.

Arrangements must be made ahead of time with the children’s librarian regarding scheduled times and programming or if services will be discontinued.

Group program operators are required to cancel scheduled programs 24 hours in advance. In case of inclement weather the group program operator should notify the library as soon as possible.

Storytime kits containing multiple components based on a theme will be provided to organized group programs, licensed and operated in the City of Milford or a contracting city. This includes organized preschools and daycare centers providing daily care.

Criteria for Service

Services must be requested by the group.

Arrangements must be made with the appropriate library staff.

Notification should be given to the library staff if services are to be discontinued.

A responsible person must be designated and contact information must be made available.

The group is accountable for payment of lost or damaged materials.

Services

Drop off and pick up of storytime kits as arranged.

Materials usually check out for 4 weeks.

V. Other services

There may be occasions when the library can best serve the community outside the librarywalls. Other services may be requested and service may be provided at the discretion of thelibrary board and library director.